At the End

II

I stand on the platform 9 3/4 at the King's Cross station with my best frie- husband, Draco next to me, waiting for the Hogwarts Express to arrive.

Last month, Draco and I got married. It was expected, of course, but I stayed in my room the whole time, avoiding conversations as our house was being decorated for the wedding. Our mothers were excited about planning everything out from wedding rings to the color of the curtains. They even picked out the flowers and music.

Flashback

''Draco Malfoy, do you take Y/N Ivory for your lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?'' The priest started the vows.

''I, Draco Malfoy, take you, Y/N Ivory, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us apart,'' Draco vowed.

''Y/N Ivory, do you take Draco Malfoy for your lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?'' He asked me.

''I, Y/N Ivory, take you, Draco Malfoy, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us apart,'' I vowed.

After more vows were exchanged, the priest finally declared -

The priest pronounced the words, "You may kiss the bride now." As the words hung in the air, I looked at Draco and he looked back at me. We both knew what was expected, but neither of us wanted to do it. Finally, I leaned in and hesitantly kissed him on the lips. It was a brief kiss, but it seemed to last forever. As quickly as I could, I pulled away and looked down at the floor.

End of Flashback

"Y/N, the train has come," Draco stated, before walking towards the train, while I trailed behind him.

Me and Draco hadn't spoken much at all since we got married, not having the same relationship as before.

We entered an unoccupied train compartment and seated ourselves across from each other. The ambiance felt more uneasy than relaxed, in contrast to our interactions in the past. As the train began, I peered out the window and observed parents bidding farewell to their children.

"If we persist in this manner, everyone will discern that something transpired between us," Draco expressed, with a touch of irritation.

I inquired, observing him closely, "What do you mean?"

He replied, "I know that our relationship will undergo an irreversible shift. The circumstances leading to this shift were beyond our control, and I am aware of your current discomfort. It was our mutual intention to maintain confidentiality, and I understand your desire to uphold this secrecy. The transformation in our dynamic, transitioning from 'exuberant best friends' to 'discomfort in each other's presence,' lacks coherence."

After his solemn reflection, an awkward silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken tension. I struggled to find words, feeling exposed by his candid admission.

"I... I never saw this coming," I managed, at last, my voice wavering slightly. "It's like everything we built is unraveling, and I don't know how to stop it."

He met my gaze, his eyes reflecting a mix of regret and resignation. "I know," he said softly, his tone heavy with the weight of our shared predicament. "I never wanted this either."

The air around us felt charged with the ache of dashed expectations and the bitter taste of inevitable change. Each word hung between us, carrying the weight of truths neither of us wanted to confront.

"We can't go back," I whispered, the finality of the statement sinking in. "We can't undo what's been done."

His silence spoke volumes, conveying a sense of helplessness and a quiet acknowledgment of the irreparable rift that had formed between us. It was as if the very act of acknowledging our discomfort made it more palpable, stretching the fragile threads of our relationship to their breaking point.

"I don't know what comes next," he finally admitted, his voice barely audible. "But I don't want us to lose what we had."

The vulnerability in his words mirrored my own uncertainty, highlighting the discomfort that now underscored our every interaction. We stood at the precipice of a new reality, uncertain if we could salvage anything from the wreckage of our once-exuberant friendship.

As we parted ways, the weight of our conversation lingered heavy in the air. Our once vibrant friendship had irreversibly shifted into an uncomfortable silence. The easy camaraderie we once shared was now replaced by a palpable distance.

In the days that followed, we navigated a delicate dance of politeness and avoidance. Our interactions were strained, our conversations shallow. It was clear that the effortless connection we once had was now fractured.

Despite the awkwardness, there remained a faint glimmer of hope—a mutual desire to salvage what little remained of our bond. But for now, we were left grappling with the reality of our changed dynamic, unsure if we could ever fully bridge the gap that had grown between us.

-

A/N

Hello, readers! I apologize again for the delay in posting this chapter. I'm not sure if it's long enough to make up for the time it took me to upload it. I really appreciate your patience and support. I also want to thank you for 56 reads. I really hope you liked this chapter!

                                                                                         -Nora<3